John 17:19

And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

And {G2532} for {G5228} their {G846} sakes {G5228} I {G1473} sanctify {G37} myself {G1683}, that {G2443} they {G846} also {G2532} might {G5600} be sanctified {G37} through {G1722} the truth {G225}.

On their behalf I am setting myself apart for holiness, so that they too may be set apart for holiness by means of the truth.

For them I sanctify Myself, so that they too may be sanctified by the truth.

And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.

John 17:19 is a profound statement within Jesus' 'High Priestly Prayer,' a pivotal part of His farewell discourse recorded in the Gospel of John. This verse unveils the deep purpose behind Jesus' consecration of Himself: the sanctification of His followers.

Context

This verse is found within Jesus' extended prayer to the Father, offered just before His arrest and crucifixion. Having prayed for His own glorification and for the protection and unity of His immediate disciples (John 17:11), Jesus then reveals His ultimate purpose for consecrating Himself. His focus extends beyond the disciples present, encompassing all future believers, as explicitly mentioned in John 17:20.

Key Themes

  • Jesus' Self-Consecration: When Jesus says, "I sanctify myself," He is not implying any need for personal cleansing, as He was sinless (Hebrews 4:15). Rather, He declares His voluntary and complete dedication to the Father's will, setting Himself apart for the ultimate redemptive work—His crucifixion and resurrection. This act of sanctification by Jesus is foundational for the salvation and holiness of His followers, an act of supreme love and obedience (Ephesians 5:2).
  • Believers' Sanctification: The primary purpose of Jesus' self-sanctification is "that they also might be sanctified." Believers are 'sanctified'—meaning they are set apart by God for His holy purposes, cleansed from sin, and progressively made more like Christ. This process of sanctification is a lifelong journey for every Christian, leading to practical holiness in daily life.
  • The Role of Truth: The means by which believers are sanctified is "through the truth." In John's Gospel, 'truth' is intrinsically linked to Jesus Himself, who declared, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." It also refers to God's Word, as Jesus states in John 17:17, "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." The divine truth revealed through Christ and His Word is the instrument of our holiness.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated 'sanctify' is hagiazo, meaning 'to set apart,' 'to consecrate,' or 'to make holy.' When applied to Jesus, it signifies His dedication to His divine mission and sacrificial purpose. When applied to believers, it speaks to both their positional holiness (being set apart by God at conversion) and their progressive holiness (growing in Christ-likeness through obedience to the truth).

Practical Application

John 17:19 reminds believers of the immense cost of their salvation and the high calling to live a life set apart for God. Because Christ sanctified Himself for us, we are enabled and called to pursue holiness in our daily lives. This verse encourages us to embrace and live by God's truth—both His revealed Word and the person of Jesus Christ—as essential for this ongoing process of sanctification, allowing us to reflect His character in a fallen world and fulfill the purpose for which we were set apart.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Titus 2:14

    Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

  • Hebrews 2:11

    For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified [are] all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

  • John 17:17

    Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

  • 1 Corinthians 1:2

    Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called [to be] saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

  • Hebrews 10:5

    Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:

  • Hebrews 10:10

    By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once [for all].

  • 2 Timothy 2:10

    Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

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